Varun Chakravarthy’s Five-Wicket Haul Nearly Pulls Off Miraculous Victory Against South Africa in Second T20I
Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy showcased a stunning performance, nearly pulling off a low-scoring heist for his team. With only 125 runs to defend, the odds were heavily stacked against India, given the power-packed South African batting lineup. However, Chakravarthy’s exceptional spell brought the visitors within inches of an improbable victory.
The 33-year-old leg-spinner dismantled South Africa’s lineup, taking five wickets for just 17 runs in his four-over spell, marking his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is.
While his outstanding effort ultimately came in a losing cause, it underscored his recent rise in form and impact in India’s T20 setup. Since his return to the side post the ICC T20 World Cup, Chakravarthy has emerged as a reliable wicket-taker, with 13 wickets from five matches at an impressive average of 8.84 and an economy rate of 5.75.
Role Clarity from Head Coach Gautam Gambhir
Chakravarthy attributes his resurgence to Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has been instrumental in refining the spinner’s approach. According to Chakravarthy, Gambhir provided him with the freedom to focus purely on wickets, relieving him of the pressure of containment.
“He (Gambhir) told me even if you go for 30, 40 runs, it doesn’t matter. All you have to look for is to pick wickets. So that’s your role in the team,” Chakravarthy revealed post-match, highlighting the value of Gambhir’s guidance in his recent performances.
The leg-spinner’s success in the IPL, where he was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad that claimed the title this year, has also played a significant role in his improvement. Chakravarthy pointed out that extensive experience in franchise and domestic cricket was key in helping him refine his game.
“I had to go to the drawing board and check out all my videos. What I figured out was that I was bowling side-spin, and it was not working out at the higher level, so I had to change everything about my bowling,” he said. “The only thing I could do was play lots of cricket. I started playing a lot of domestic leagues in India, and that definitely helped me understand my game better.”
The Game-Changing Spell
Introduced into the attack at a crucial juncture, Chakravarthy struck almost immediately, removing South African skipper Aiden Markram. His relentless accuracy and variations further troubled the hosts as he went on to dismiss Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller in quick succession. His wickets, especially those of key batters like Markram and Klaasen, swung the momentum in India’s favor and made a low total seem defendable.
However, despite Chakravarthy’s heroics, South Africa managed to edge out India by three wickets, with Tristan Stubbs (47) and Gerald Coetzee (19) anchoring the hosts to victory.
Indian Captain’s Praise for Chakravarthy
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was effusive in his praise for Chakravarthy, describing the spell as “incredible.” He emphasized the difficulty of claiming a five-wicket haul in T20 cricket, especially while defending a low total, and commended Chakravarthy’s hard work and dedication.
“In a T20 game, someone getting a five-for defending 125 and in this situation, it’s incredible,” Suryakumar said. “He worked really hard on his game and he has been waiting for this stage, and everyone enjoyed it. Brilliant performance from him.”
With his recent exploits, Chakravarthy has solidified his position as a key wicket-taker in India’s T20 lineup. His adaptability and commitment to refining his bowling have yielded outstanding results, making him a player to watch as India prepares for upcoming international fixtures.
The backing of a supportive coaching team and the experience gained in domestic and franchise cricket have clearly played pivotal roles in his resurgence, and if his recent performances are any indication, Chakravarthy could continue to make headlines for India in the shortest format.
While the result may not have gone India’s way, Chakravarthy’s spell was a powerful reminder of the impact a single bowler can have, especially when clarity of role and confidence come together.
